|
Port Elizabeth Maps & Attractions Guide
Port Elizabeth maps & Attractions - Things to do
in Port Elizabeth
|
!
Search & Compare Cheap Port Elizabeth Hotels, Holidays
& Deals
|
|
?
More Information & Other Links
|
This map is interactive: Click and drag to view the map of Port Elizabeth.
Zoom in using the controls provided.
Port Elizabeth
Attractions - Things to do
1. Bayworld
Beach Road, Humewood
www.bayworld.co.za |
What is it? Port Elizabeth's most popular attraction
consists of a complex on the beachfront that includes the
Oceanarium, a museum, and a snake park. The Bayworld Oceanarium is
famed for its performing Bottlenose dolphin shows, enjoyed by
thousands every year. Besides the large dolphin pool with its
underwater viewing area, the oceanarium also features an aquarium
tank where visitors can watch a vast array of marine life through
glass portholes as they glide by, including sharks, turtles and
rays. The snake park contains an impressive variety of indigenous
reptiles in natural-looking enclosures. The PE Museum focuses on
cultural and natural history with a wide variety of exhibits, from
models of sailing ships and period costumes to giant replicas of
dinosaurs that roamed the area in prehistoric times; it is the
third-oldest museum in the country.
Hours of Operation: Museum, Oceanarium and snake park: daily 9am to
4.30pm (Oceanarium closed between 12.45pm and 1.45pm); dolphin and
seal shows are twice daily at 11am and 3pm; reptile presentations
at 12pm Monday to Friday
Phone:041 584 0650 |
2. Market Square
|
What is it? Port Elizabeth's architectural heritage can
be traced by taking a walk around the central city Market Square,
which features several historic buildings. The centrepiece of the
square is the aesthetically pleasing City Hall, dating from 1858,
topped with an attractive clock tower. Also in the square is a
replica of the Diaz Cross that commemorates the first European to
set foot in Algoa Bay in 1488, when Dutch explorer Bartholomew Diaz
stopped over on his way east. Alongside the city hall is the
Prester John Memorial, dedicated to the Portuguese explorers who
landed in South Africa. On the northwest flank of the square is the
city's public library, built in 1835 and originally used as a
courthouse. The beautiful building is regarded as an excellent
example of Victorian Gothic architecture and is interesting in that
its façade was manufactured in England and shipped to Port
Elizabeth to be recreated piece by piece. In front of the library
stands a marble statue of Queen Victoria, which was unveiled in
1903. Slightly downhill from the square, at the entrance to the
harbour, stands the Campanile, containing the biggest carillon of
bells in the country. Visitors can climb 204 steps to enjoy the
view from the top of this monument, which commemorates the landing
of the 1820 settlers.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
3. Donkin Reserve
|
What is it? On a hill above the centre of the city stands
a stone pyramid monument with an adjacent lighthouse. The open
public space was proclaimed in perpetuity by Sir Rufane Donkin,
acting British Governor of the Cape, when the 1820 Settlers arrived
in Algoa Bay. Donkin named the new settlement after his wife,
Elizabeth, who had died in India two years' previously, and erected
the pyramid in her memory. The lighthouse was built in 1861, and
today houses the city's Tourist Information Centre. Maps are
available from the centre describing a three-mile (five km)
discovery trail through the hill area and central city, taking in
47 historic sites and architectural
delights.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
4. St George's Park
|
What is it? St George's Park has been a recreational
centre for the city for more than 150 years, boasting
well-landscaped gardens covering 73 hectares. On site is the world
famous Port Elizabeth Cricket Club, scene of many an exciting test
match series, and the oldest bowling green in South Africa. The
park also features the 1882 Edwardian Pearson Conservatory, a
national monument filled with orchids, water lilies and other
exotic plants. Every second Sunday of the month the park plays host
to a vibrant arts and crafts fair. The other major park in Port
Elizabeth is Settler's Park, set in the Baakens River valley, which
boasts indigenous flora and fauna and offers a delightful stroll
along the riverbank.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
5. Addo Elephant Park
www.sanparks.org/parks/addo |
What is it? The most popular game reserve in the Port
Elizabeth area is the Addo Elephant Park, just a 45-minute drive
from the city. There are currently more than 300 elephants in
residence in the park, which was recently enlarged. Addo was
proclaimed in 1931 in an effort to save the remaining 11 elephants
indigenous to the area. The elephants are drawn to watering holes
at certain times and sightings are virtually guaranteed all year
round. There are other animals in the park too, including black
rhino, buffalo, zebra, warthog and several types of buck. Guided
game drives are available or visitors can do a self-drive tour
using the map issued at the entrance. Serviced accommodation is
available and there is a restaurant and picnic site at the
Park.
Hours of Operation: Daily 7am to 7pm
Phone:042 233 0556 |
6. Shamwari Game Reserve
www.shamwari.com |
What is it? The multi-award winning private game reserve
of Shamwari lies less than an hour's drive from Port Elizabeth and
has been responsible for re-introducing numerous species into the
Eastern Cape plains, including all of the Big Five - lion,
elephant, rhino, leopard and buffalo. The reserve offers luxury
accommodation, but also hosts visitors on day trips from the city.
Day tours include a visit to an African art and culture village to
sample Xhosa culture and traditionally brewed beer, and a visit to
the Born Free centre for abused animals.
Hours of Operation:
Phone:042 203 1111 |
7. Grahamstown
www.grahamstown.co.za |
What is it? The historic settler town of Grahamstown, 78
miles (125km) northeast of Port Elizabeth, is presided over, from
the top of Gunfire Hill, by the 1820 Settler's National Monument,
an arts and theatre complex which forms the focus of the town's
annual internationally recognised Arts Festival held in July.
Grahamstown was founded in 1815 as a garrison to drive the Xhosa
eastwards across the Fish River frontier, giving rise to a century
of frontier war. The town has an English colonial flavour, and is
home to the renowned Rhodes University and some top private
boarding schools. There are several museums, including the JLB
Smith Institute of Ichthyology where two stuffed specimens of the
coelacanth are on display. The town also boasts the only Victorian
camera obscura in the southern hemisphere.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
8. Jeffrey's Bay
www.jeffreysbaytourism.com |
What is it? A short drive to the west of Port Elizabeth
is the surfing Mecca of Jeffrey's Bay (known colloquially as
'J-Bay'). The seaside town plays host to the world Billabong
Professional surfing contest every July, and is famed for its
'supertubes', South Africa's perfect wave. The town is bustling,
with several stores selling branded surfing gear, and several
flashy cafes and restaurants. The long stretches of sandy beach
around the town are also renowned for their
shells.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
Port Elizabeth Holidays guide
|
Transport -Port Elizabeth has little or no public
transport system and the existing bus service is erratic and
unreliable, with schedules hard to come by and very few areas
covered.
More information at the |
|
|
! Bookmark
Page
| Travel Alerts FREE newsletter - cheap flight alerts + more!
Subscribe now. |
|
